Closures should be shortened

Published: Thursday, April 17, 2014 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 3:30 p.m.

When it comes to managing public lands, U.S. Forest Service staff members are regarded as professionals who do their best to balance often-competing interests. Yet the agency’s closure of trails and roads in the North Mills River to accommodate logging and forest restoration work seems a bit excessive.

The Forest Service announced Feb. 3 it was closing four trails and two roads through May for the Brushy Ridge Ecosystem Improvement Project, approved in 2011. But on March 27, the agency extended the closures to encompass four roads and five trails, and announced the project could last into the fall.

That news upset recreational users already disappointed that they would be barred from riding horses and mountain bikes, hiking and running, hunting and fishing and otherwise enjoying the area. The issue is the number of paths and access points closed and the fact that users will have to stay out of the area through the spring, summer and possibly longer.

Granted, there are lots of other national forest paths still open, including those near Brevard and in the Bent Creek area south of Asheville. Open trails and roads remain along Yellow Gap Road, which connects the North Mills River Recreation Area of Henderson County with the Pink Beds/Cradle of Forestry area in Transylvania County.

Still, the closures around Wash Creek and the Hendersonville Reservoir will be tough on hikers, cyclists, equestrians, hunters, anglers and others who use that area, which is particularly popular with locals.

Pisgah District Ranger Derek Ibarguen said the closures are necessary to ensure that visitors are kept safe, both in active logging areas and along roads used by logging trucks to haul out timber. He said he closed the minimal amount of trails necessary. “It’s about 7 miles of closure for trails, and when you think about that, there are over 370 miles of trails for folks to utilize elsewhere in the district.”

Adding up the affected trails and gated roads used as trails, however, the closed sections total closer to 15 miles or more. These include Seniard Mountain and Hendersonville Reservoir roads, which together total about 3 miles, plus Bear Branch Trail (1.3 miles), Fletcher Creek Road (2.4 miles), Wash Creek Trail (.8 mile), Trace Ridge Trail (3.1 miles), North Mills River Trail (1.6 miles) and Yellow Gap Trail (2.4 miles).

Closing the Trace Ridge/Hendersonville Reservoir trailhead also effectively closes the 8-mile track known as “Never Ending Road” that hikers, bikers, horseback riders and anglers use to access the upper reaches of the watershed. In addition, vehicles are prohibited on Wash Creek Road, which connects North Mills River Recreation Area with Bent Creek.

Yes, recreational users can drive a few more miles and access other parts of the forests — areas that will be more crowded due to the closures in North Mills River. No doubt, there’s a public safety interest in keeping logging trucks and outdoor enthusiasts separated.

Nonetheless, the Forest Service should look for ways to complete the Brushy Ridge project in phases to shorten the time folks have to stay out of this treasured area in our backyard.

<p>When it comes to managing public lands, U.S. Forest Service staff members are regarded as professionals who do their best to balance often-competing interests. Yet the agency’s closure of trails and roads in the North Mills River to accommodate logging and forest restoration work seems a bit excessive.</p><p>The Forest Service announced Feb. 3 it was closing four trails and two roads through May for the Brushy Ridge Ecosystem Improvement Project, approved in 2011. But on March 27, the agency extended the closures to encompass four roads and five trails, and announced the project could last into the fall.</p><p>That news upset recreational users already disappointed that they would be barred from riding horses and mountain bikes, hiking and running, hunting and fishing and otherwise enjoying the area. The issue is the number of paths and access points closed and the fact that users will have to stay out of the area through the spring, summer and possibly longer.</p><p>Granted, there are lots of other national forest paths still open, including those near Brevard and in the Bent Creek area south of Asheville. Open trails and roads remain along Yellow Gap Road, which connects the North Mills River Recreation Area of Henderson County with the Pink Beds/Cradle of Forestry area in Transylvania County.</p><p>Still, the closures around Wash Creek and the Hendersonville Reservoir will be tough on hikers, cyclists, equestrians, hunters, anglers and others who use that area, which is particularly popular with locals.</p><p>Pisgah District Ranger Derek Ibarguen said the closures are necessary to ensure that visitors are kept safe, both in active logging areas and along roads used by logging trucks to haul out timber. He said he closed the minimal amount of trails necessary. It’s about 7 miles of closure for trails, and when you think about that, there are over 370 miles of trails for folks to utilize elsewhere in the district.</p><p>Adding up the affected trails and gated roads used as trails, however, the closed sections total closer to 15 miles or more. These include Seniard Mountain and Hendersonville Reservoir roads, which together total about 3 miles, plus Bear Branch Trail (1.3 miles), Fletcher Creek Road (2.4 miles), Wash Creek Trail (.8 mile), Trace Ridge Trail (3.1 miles), North Mills River Trail (1.6 miles) and Yellow Gap Trail (2.4 miles).</p><p>Closing the Trace Ridge/Hendersonville Reservoir trailhead also effectively closes the 8-mile track known as Never Ending Road that hikers, bikers, horseback riders and anglers use to access the upper reaches of the watershed. In addition, vehicles are prohibited on Wash Creek Road, which connects North Mills River Recreation Area with Bent Creek.</p><p>Yes, recreational users can drive a few more miles and access other parts of the forests  areas that will be more crowded due to the closures in North Mills River. No doubt, there’s a public safety interest in keeping logging trucks and outdoor enthusiasts separated.</p><p>Nonetheless, the Forest Service should look for ways to complete the Brushy Ridge project in phases to shorten the time folks have to stay out of this treasured area in our backyard.</p>